A Simple Fireworks Show Would Do
* When I was growing up in the San Fernando Valley, the Fourth of July was spent with a family barbecue followed by a visit to a Los Angeles city park to view the fireworks.
This all-American tradition is no longer available to my kids. Several surrounding cities offer fireworks, but the drive is not realistic for a 30-minute show.
The only options available to my family in the West Valley were the Cal State Northridge event and the Pierce College event. Both shows charge admission fees that reflect additional extended activities. All we want is a fireworks show. We don’t want food concessions, bands and sky divers. We don’t want to be locked in a stadium for five hours. We don’t want to spend $50 (plus extras) for our family.
We resolved, along with thousands of other families, to watch the fireworks show from the streets surrounding Pierce College. Since parking was prohibited on these surrounding streets (on this day only) we were forced to park in Warner Center and join the crowds on the sidewalks of De Soto Avenue, where traffic flows at 40 to 50 m.p.h. It is unfortunate that the sponsors of the event made our task so difficult when Pierce College has an abundance of open space. It is also unfortunate that the sponsors of the event, who believe in the spirit of the community, have created an event that divides those desiring to see fireworks from those desiring an expensive extravaganza.
It seems that surrounding cities do a better job of maintaining traditions such as fireworks displays for their residents.
LYNN SEGAL
Woodland Hills
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